Thursday, December 3, 2015

When a child calls me teacher

"Teacher, will you tie my shoe?"
"Teacher, can you open this?"
"Hi, Teacher I love you"
"Teacher, can you read this book?"
"Teacher, can you help me with this puzzle?"

These are normal statements and questions in my preschool classroom this year as well as other years. It's never bothered me when my children call me 'teacher'. However, because of how often I am called "Teacher" with this particular group I've noticed that it bothers other adults.  I've bit my tongue more than once when one of my precious students was told "Her name is Miss Leah" or "that's not her name". I've even been asked "Do they ever call you by your name?"  While I can see where the adult is coming from in regards to respect, and future teachers. I can't really understand why it's so important that they not call me exactly what I am and what I have been called to be. A mother wants her children to call her mom...for that is what she is. So it is with me as their teacher.

It's a constant reminder of what I am suppose to be to these children, often when I'm disengaged from the children one says "teacher" and I'm instantly reminded of my job and my awesome responsibility to these children.

It's a constant reminder that I am in service to not only my students but to my God, and my place of employment which fortunatly for me is also an extension of my church. To God be the glory not to Miss Leah... Maybe it's WLC's fault that I enjoy being a servant leader.

It honestly warms my heart when a little voice calls me teacher with so much simple joy and love in their eyes... I'm not blessed to be called mommy by a child. I'll take what I can get.

I AM "Teacher"

Jesus is known as one of the greatest teachers in history and some of the people that have had the biggest impact on my life; outside of my family have been my teachers. So now, to be able to turn and give back what was given me I am proud to be referred to as "teacher". It's simple and uncomplicated.

 "Of the 90 times Jesus was addressed directly in the gospels, 60 times he was called Teacher. This was the word the multitudes used. This was how the disciples referred to him. Jesus himself used the term when he said, "You call me Teacher and Lord, and rightly so, for that is what I am" (John 13:13). When Nicodemus came to Jesus by night, he said, "We know that you are a teacher who has come from God" (John 3:2) " ~http://www.jesus.org/is-jesus-god/names-of-jesus/why-was-jesus-called-teacher.html~

How am I much different than that? God has called me to teach, it is what I am, I'm not ashamed of my position I don't feel disrespected when they call me "teacher" and not "Miss Leah"

"Go ye into all the world and teach nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19 KJV.

The last thing Jesus told his disciples to do was go into the world and make disciples, how were they to do that without teaching God's word?

Who am I to say that "teacher" is not a respectable name to be called when the greatest teacher in all of history and our Savior was called "Teacher" himself.

We were commanded to go and teach, to go and serve others....I'm simply lucky enough to not have to look for chances to do just that, but to get paid( allbeit not a whole lot) to do that each and every workday.

I.am.teacher.
I am servant
I am blessed.